Kashima Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Tomoki Hayakawa · Ikuma Sekigawa · Naomichi Ueda (captain) · Koki Anzai · Kimito Nono · Kei Chinen · Yuta Higuchi · Ryotaro Araki · Yuma Suzuki · Aleksandar Cavric (Slovakia) · Leo Ceara (Brazil)

Kashima looks to control games through a high press and direct verticality using a 4-3-3. This formation aims to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly move it into the final third to exploit space. The lineup is built to stretch the opposition and create constant pressure on their back line through aggressive movement and high energy.

Tomoki Hayakawa stays between the posts to start the build up from the back. The defensive unit operates with a flat back four that maintains a high line to squeeze the space. Naomichi Ueda acts as a dominant presence in the air, while Ikuma Sekigawa provides cover to sweep behind the line. Kimito Nono and Koki Anzai function as attacking full backs, pushing high to provide width and support the wingers.

The midfield relies on a three-man midfield with a single pivot to manage the center of the pitch. Kei Chinen sits in front of the defense to shield the back four and intercept passes. Yuta Higuchi works to connect the defensive and attacking lines by carrying the ball forward. Ryotaro Araki plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, looking to play through the lines and find pockets of space between the opponent's midfield and defense.

Kashima uses three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. Yuma Suzuki acts as a pressing centre-forward to lead the hunt from the front and hold up the ball. Aleksandar Cavric and Leo Ceara operate as inverted wingers who cut inside to create goalscoring chances. This movement creates space for the full backs to overlap the winger and deliver crosses. The front three focus on quick combinations and making runs in behind to catch the defense out of position.

This formation offers several tactical advantages, including the ability to press high in coordinated waves to win the ball back quickly. The team can create wide overloads by using the overlapping runs of Kimito Nono and Koki Anzai. Kashima also benefits from the speed of transition when they hit in behind on the transition through the pace of the wide players.

This 4-3-3 lineup is designed to dominate matches through aggressive pressing and rapid attacking movement. It is best suited for facing teams that struggle to play out from the back or leave space behind their defensive line.